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Taxi driver fined for smoking in cab

A taxi driver spotted smoking a cigarette in his cab by two local authority officers has paid a fixed penalty notice.

The driver, who was alone in the vehicle at the time, was parked on Lime Grove Walk at the junction of Bank Road.

Smoking in a taxi at any time is an offence under section 7(1) of the Health Act 2006 and the fixed penalty notice (FPN) was paid promptly, reducing a £50 fine to £30.

The two officers were from the local licensing authority, Derbyshire Dales District Council, and a spokesperson said:

"On this occasion we will not be taking further action in terms of the taxi driver's licence or that of his employer, but it’s a good opportunity to remind the taxi trade that they are not allowed to smoke in their vehicles and that we will take action where an offence is witnessed.

"Members of the public should not have to put up with cigarette smoke in the taxis they use and, likewise, we would also remind them that they are not allowed to smoke in taxis.

"We actually receive very few complaints about smoking in public places, but we do occasionally receive complaints about drivers who smoke in cabs – sometimes from other taxi drivers! The Health Act 2006 introduced the legal concept of smoke-free work in public places and has been largely successful and self-policing. Our view is that we would rather help than punish, which is why we recommend smoking cessation schemes."